RN to BSN chicken

[helpsme]

I have been a nurse for 17 years and I am considering (for about the hundreth time) going back for my BSN. I have 4 kids so online is probably the only solution for me. My largest obstical is a huge fear of writing papers. I haven"t written on since nursing school and even back then had to write very few papers.

My question is...has anyone found an online program that is light on its paper requirements? This will really make or break me. The degree is only for personal satisfaction. There is no pay difference for a BSN and I don't want to to administration work. I just want to stay at the bedside (or in my case the strertcher side..ER).

Any help is greatly appreciated..

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Don't be scared! (Or as we say out in the sticks, "Don't be skerred!" LOL)

I haven't seen an RN-BSN program that states "we don't have lots of papers!" I think most of the online ones WILL have papers. But one of the places I checked out (it was my second choice, behind Chamberlain where I'm doing the RN-BSN online) was the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's RN-BSN, and they allow you to try out a class first to see if it's for you: http://bsnlinc.wisconsin.edu/special.asp -- might be worth checking out!

For what it's worth, I had to write a couple of papers for my first BSN nursing course with Chamberlain, and they start you slow so that you can get into the rhythm of it and get familiar with APA style. I hadn't written a paper in a long while, and I didn't think it was too bad.

Welcome to Allnurses!! :)

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

to make you feel more comfortable maybe you should look into taking a writing course first (maybe several ) ...don't be scared just look the problem in the face and tackle it. i have heard that online rn to bsn programs are heavy on the writing part. i don't know yet but will soon... i can understand why you are concerned but running will get you nowhere. i am sure there are many people that have concernes about their writing but still are very sucessful...good luck to you...

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

I also had a big fear of writing papers because I never had to do them for my ADN program, and all the ones I did for writing class were in MLA format not APA format.

In the first semester, almost every one of my fellow students stated they were horrible at writing papers. I think the first semester courses expect that from us.

My teachers were kind during grading, pointing out everything in order to properly teach us how to write. In reality, the first semester (for me) was really about learning how to write in APA format.

Now, I feel much better at it.

But, if you go back, just know that you are not alone! Most people are fearful of the writing (and stats)...

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Yeah, we were able to submit drafts for critique for both papers in my class with Chamberlain, and the instructor gave us great feedback on where we needed to improve before we had to submit the final version. It was very kind and gentle.

[Heather43230]

I am currently in school for my BSN through University of Phoenix. It took me 13 years and three kids later to get the courage to go back to school. I love the UOP courses, they are interactive sorta like here. Each class is 5 weeks long and it depends on the Professor on how many papers you are required to put forth. My current class we had to do a power point presentation and we are required to write a paper on Jean Watson's theory of caring. You need to look around for the school that fits you the best.

Heather

[RNGrad2006]

As the other posters have mentioned RN to BSN is basically writing papers. We have to do a paper each week and each course is 8 weeks long. Two of the 8 weeks usually involve group assignments. Group papers are a lot harder than individual papers in my opinion. A lot of group work involves power point presentations. We have done so many now it is not as intimidating anymore. When I first started I spent a lot of time researching and writing but now that I am into my 12th course it seems almost repetitive....and very much old hat. Don't worry everyone feels like you do at first and dreads it. Honestly Stats was my worst class...it was so much work to keep up with the workload. But it really does get easier with time. We had to do a lot more papers than many of the posters here are talking about even in our first class but once you are in the groove it gets easier. Just don't take a break it gets harder to get back into it if you do. It is worth it too...I don't have aspirations of management at all but I do think I might want to work in public health. A BSN opens doors that you may not have the oppportunity for and I also had a personal desire to obtain a degree. Many of the hospitals in the Phoenix area prefer BSN grads and with the current state of the economy I think it helps to have more apples in your basket. So take courage...and go for it!!!!

[aswad69]

It always nice to know that other people feel the same way. I figure if its something that we want the fear will go way. Hope that helps.